Toy switch



Feb. 5 i924., *i

A. R. FERGUSSON TOY SWITCH Filed March 19, 1923 3 Sheets-SheetA l n@ mm WN wm Feb. 5 i924., M

A.- R.- FERGUSSON oY SWITCH Filed March 19 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 www@ Feb. 5

A. R. FIERGUSSN TOY SWITCH iled March 19, 1923 remise ree. s, i924.

ALAN R. FERGUSSON, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

TOY SWITCH.

Applicationled March 19, 1923.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, ALAN R. FnnGUssoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Toy Switches, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to switches :tor toy or miniature railways, an object of the invention being` to provide a strong and durable construction which will withstand long and continued hard usage and will not get out oi' order. I

A. further object of this invention is to provide an improved switch mechanism, which by reducing the cost of manufacture and the cost ot material may be manufactured at a minimum of expense, and vyet will combine with such cheapness, a high degree ot commercial attractiveness.

A further object ot' this invention is to provide a reversible or combined right and lett handed switch which may be 'used interchangeably at any point in the railway system.

ik tui-ther object of this invention is to provide a toy switch which will be greatly simplified in construction, eliminating for instance, the necessity oi using frogs, intersecting rails and operating levers, and yet so constructed that the operation ot switching can be accomplished by the child with great ease and rapidity.

A tui-ther object ot this invention is to provide an improved toy railway switch having relatively shiftable switching members adapted to be guided one relatively to the other, and which is adapted to be connected to one or more wire track sections.

A further object ot' this invention is to provide a toy railway switch construction having means for permitting the same. to be connected interchangeably to one or more wire track sections, or it desired'to the conventional track section on the market, or to both.

Other objects oit this invention will ap* pear in the following description thereof and the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a aartot this specification, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts in the several views, and wherein FiU. l is a plan view illust-rating a form of my invention; F ig. 2 is a cross section taken substantially on line 2,2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3

Serial No. 625,990.

is a bottom plan view partly broken away ot the switch shown in Fig. l; Fig. l is a detail perspective view illustrating a manner in which one of the switch members may be connect-ed to a track section; Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating a somewhat modified Vform of my invention; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the switch members thereof; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the other switch member thereof; Fig. 8 `is a plan view illustrating a somewhat moditied form 'ot' construction; Fig. 9 is a bottom plan View of the switch members; Fig. l0 is a detail perspective view of the pivot plate :tor the swinging track section, and Fig. li is a cross section taken substantially on line ll-ll ot Fig. 8.

Betere explaining in detail the present in'iprovement and mode of operation thereot, l desire to have it understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable 0f other embodiments, and that the phraseology which employ is for the purpose of description and not ot limitation.

Heretotore in switches which have been conventionally used on the market it has been necessary to make both right and left handed switches, the left handed switch being complementary to a right handed switch. For instance, it it were desired to switch the train from the main line to a line extending olf to the right ot' the main line, a right handed switch was necessary, and in order to return the train to the main line again it was necessary to use a left handed switch. rlhus, heretofore, it was necessary to construct two different kinds of switches, namely the right handed switch and the lett handed switch, and in purchasing switches in the stores it was necessary tor the salesman to carefully instruct customers as to the necessity ot buying compleinentary right and let't handed switches.

Therefore, not only has the cost ot manuiacture been increased due to t-he Yfact that two ditl'erent types ot switches had to be provided, but also due to the tendency of making mistakes in buying two right or left handed switches instead of one ot' each kind, considerable sales resistance inevitably resulted. The present invention eliminates these disadvantages, and combines in a single construction both a right handed and a left handed switch, or mother wordsthe` tion comprises a pair of relatively shittable` switching members having cooperating means for'. guiding one relatively to the.

other, one. of the switching members having connection with .two pairs of rails, one pair locatedat one side ofv the other pair, and the other 'switching member having connection to a pair of rails,-so that one of the switching members maybe shifted relatively tothe other to bring diierent pairs of rails otthetwo members into alinement. Thus, one ofthe switching members may be shifted into,` reve-,rse positions with relation to the other switching` member for forming either a right or left handed switch.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 in elusive of the drawings, wherein` I have illus trated one form ofmy invention, it will be seen that this switch construction comprises a preferably stationary switching member 9,*which in the present instance, comprises a platepreferably stamped out of sheet metal havingbent up side edges and 11. The pla-tei9 is alsov provided with projectingportions 12 and 13 at one side thereof, these portionsbeinpr stamped up with shoulders 14 and 15 so asto canse the parts` 12 and 13 to lie above theplane of the plate 9 and substantially in the plane of the switch plate 28` hereinafter described. The lateral edges ot the projecting portion 12 are preferably coiled 'to formv tubular, cylindrical, railforming ribs 16, and the projectingportion 13'is in like Vmanner coiled at the edges thereot'to form similar coiled rail-forming ribs 17.

ln` the present instance, the rail ribs 16 are detachablyconnected to a wire track section. by means of dowels. A dowel 18 is inserted 'nto a coiled rail rib 16 and ig adapted to releasably extend into a bore 23 or any suitable tubular portion at the end of a wire rail 2,2. The other wire rail 2O of this track section is preferably detachably connected tok thelopposite rail rib 16 by means of a dowelA7 21 adapted to releasably extend thereinto. The coiled rail-forming ribs 17 are alsov preferably connected to wire rails 24' and 26 in the same manner, that is by means of a dowel 19, secured within the coiled opening` 4of one of the rail ribs and releasably extending into a bore or other tubular portion 27 at the. end of the wire rail-26,"the wire rail 24 being provided with a dowel end releasably extending into the coiled opening of the other rail rib 17.

The switching member 9 forms `in the present instance a guide for a transversely shiftable switching member 28. This latter member preferably comprises a plate stamped out of sheet metal and having the side edges thereof partially coiled at 29 and 30 to provide guide portions of suitable sha-pe to receive the cylindrical ends of wire rails 31 and 32. In the construction shown in Fig. 1 the rails 31 and 32 are rigidly secured to the plate 28 as by spot-welding, but in Fig. 4 these rails are illustrated as detachably connected to the shift plate 28 by means of lugs 31d adapted to releasa'bly extend` into openings 32a.` ln thismanner the releasable connections between the wire rails 31 and, 32and the plate 28 `form a spring or tension joint, since the free spring ends otthe wire' rails are contracted or tensioned sufciently tc permit the lugs 31l to spring-,into the openings 32. The' wire rails 31 and32y in the present instance are supported by means ot wire ties 33 and are preferably spot-.welded thereto, the constructionthus providing a strong and durable switching mechanism.

The shift plate `orvswi-tching member 28 is guided over the switching member 9, and the members are held in propel' position by means of suitable interlocking guide connections. is illustrated particularly in Fig. 3. the plate 28 basa. projecting portion 34 bent over and under an edge ot guide. plate 9 so as to freely embrace the same. Also, the plate 9 is provided with a guide'slot 35 and a guide lug 36 is stamped out of plate 29 so as to extend into the slot and freely embrace an edge thereof as shown in Fig. 3.

lt will be seen that the guide slot 35 is ot suiiicient length so that the ends 37 and 38 thereof will vform stops for the lug 36. The shittable switch platey 28 is also provided with an integral projecting handle member 39 and it will. be seen that by grasping this handle the shift plate 28 may be shifted in reverse directions so as to bring the rails 31 and 32 into alinement with either the pair ot companion rails 17, or the pair ot companion rails 16, thereby causing rails 31 and 32 tok be brought into alinement with either of the pair' of rails 24 and 26, or rails 20 and 22. The exact alinement of the several pairs ot rails is obtained when the lug 36 reaches either end of the slot 35. The play or free lateral movement in a seriesof jointed or connected track sections terminating in rails 31 and 32 is sutlicient to permit a lateral movement of the shiftable switch member 28, at the switching point so that a trainmay be readilyswitched from one line of track to the other.

The wirerails 31 and32 may be releasably joined or connected end to end to an adjacent track section by" a dowel construction. As shown in Fig.: 1 the wire rail 31 terminates Vin a reduced dowel-torming 'end 40 which is insertible in a tubular end 41, ot

a wire rail 42 of the adjacent track section. 1

lll)

The wire rail 32 is preferably provided with a bore at its end or a tubular portion 44 into which may be releasably inserted a dowel end 43 of wire rail 45. This dowel construction not only permits the wire rails 31 and 32 of the switch to be connected to an adjacent wire track section, but also per mits the same to be connected if desired to a conventional track section on the market.

In the construction illustrated in Fi 5 to 7 inclusive, the guide member 46 is of substantially the same form as hereinbefore described, the guide member being provided with end guides 47 and 48 and having projecting rail-forming portions 49 and 50 which are stamped up above the plane of the plate 46, the shoulders 51 and 52 thus permitting` the parts 49 and 50 to extend in the same plane as the shift plate 65. The projecting portion 49 is coiled up at its edges to form cylindrical, tubular, rail ribs 53, and the part 5() is in like manner formed with rails ribs 54. Dowels 55 and 56 are secured within the coiled rails 53 and 54 respectively. The wire rail 57 of an adjacent section is provided with a reduced dowel forming end 58 releasably insertible within one of the coiled rail portions 53, the other Wire rail 59 of this section having a bore or tubular end 57 adapted to receive the dowel 55. ln like manner the wire rail 61 of an adjacent section has a dowel 62 extending into a coiled rib and the dowel 56 is adapted to be inserted into a bore or tubular end 64 of the other wire rail 63 of this section.

Guided upon the plate 46 is a switch member 65 having the edges 66 and 67 thereof coiled to form spaced ribs, one of these coiled rail portions 67 has a dowel 68 secured in one end thereof, and the shiftable switch member 65 is also provided with a projecting handle member 69. The plate 46 is provided with a lengthwise extending guide slot 72, and the shift plate 65 is interlocked with plate 46 by means of a bent portion 70 embracing an edge of plate 46 and also by means of a bent lug 71 extending into and embracing an edge of the guide slot 72.

A track section is adapted to be detachably connected to the switch member 65, and in the present instance, a wire track section is detachably connected thereto. This section comprises wire rails 73 and 74 secured as by means of spot-welding to` wire cross ties 75. The wire rail 73 is also provided with a reduced dowel end 77 insertible in the coiled opening of the rail 66, and the wire rail 74 is provided with a bore or other tubular end portion 76 adapted to receive the dowel 68. From this construction it will be readily seen that when the rails 73 and 74 are connected to the rails 66 and 67 of the switch member 65, these rails may be switched into alinement with either pair of companion rails 61 and 63, or 57 and 59, merely by grasping the handle member 69 and shifting the switch member 65 over the guide meinber 46. The several rails 66, 67, 73, and 74 will be guided into exact alinement with the several pairs of rails 54, 61, 63, 53, 57, and 59, by virtue of the fact that the guide lug 71 traveling in the slot 72 will be limited in its movement by the ends of the guide slot 72.

lrn Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive, a somewhat modified form of my invention is illustrated. In this instance, the guide plate or switch member 78 comprises a curved plate having the ends thereof bent up at 79 and 8O to form guide portions. The construction of this guide plate is substantially similar to that hereinbefore described with the exception that the projecting portions 81 and 82 extend in diverging relation, the extension 81 having the edges thereof coiled to forni rail members 83 and 84, and the extension 82 also having the edges thereof coiled to form rail members 85 and 86. dowel 88 is secured within the coiled rail member 84 and the coiled end 87 of rail 83 is adapted to releasably receive a suitable doivel on the end of a wire rail of an adjacent section, the construction thereof being the same as hereinbefore described. In like manner the coiled rail member 86 is provided with a dowel 90 and a dowel on the end of a wire rail of an adjacentl section is adapted to releasably eX- tend into the coiled end 89 of rail member 85. A switch member 91 is mounted upon the guide member 78 and is provided with projections 92 which are bent to embrace a side edge of the guide 7 8, and a lug 94 is also bent to embrace an edge of the guide 78 formed by a lengthwise extending curved guide slot 93 within which the lug 94 travels. Y

The switching member 91 is also bent up at one end to provide a projecting handle 95 which may be grasped to shift the switch member 91 over the guide plate 78. A rail section comprising a pair of spaced wire rails 96 supported upon wire cross ties 96a and conected thereto as by spot-welding is pivotally connected to the shiftable switch plate 91, the wire rails 96 being pivoted by any suitable means at 97 to the switch plato 91. The opposite ends of the rails 96 are pivotally supported upon a relatively stationary supporting plate 98. The pivot biate 98 is preferably formed from sheet'metal which is out to the required shape and the rear side edges thereof are bent up or coiled to form rail ribs or members 101 which are tubular and cylindrical in shape to correspond to the shape and size of the wire rails 96. At the inner ends of the coiled rail portions 101, a pair of angular slots 99 are cut in the pivot plate 98. The ends of lll) the wire rails 96 are bent or turned downwardly, nbstantially at right angles and these ends 96b project through the slots 99 and are suitably held therein as by n'ieans ot washers 100 secured to the ends of the bent portions 96a.

It will be seen that the inner ends 101a ot the rail portions 101 are cut away to form tapered or pointed ends, and these points i01a overlie the outer ends ot the slots 99. Thus, when one ot the wire rails 96 has its bent end 96b impinging against the outer end of a slot 99 as shown in Fig. 9, the point 101a will overlap the wire rail. thus forming a continuous joint between wire rail 96 and rail 101. Vhen however` the bent portion 96b of a wire rail 96 iinpinges against the inner end of a slot 99 the point 101a will still. form substantially a continuous joint between the wire rail 96 and the coiled rail 101. A dowel 102 may be secured within one ot the coiled rails 101 and it will be understood that the rails 101 may be therefore readily connected to an adjacent track section in the usual manner.

lt will be readily understood from this construction 'that the switching operation is accomplished by grasping the handle 95 and shitting the switch member 91 over the switch member 7S, the interlocking parts of the two switch members causing the switch member 91 to be guided in the proper path. In this operation the rails 96 will be swung or rotated about their pivots on the pivot plate 98, the slots 99 being preferably provided so as to give the proper play to the pivots. The rail portions 101 ot course, are connected to the usual jointed track sections orming the main line and the plate 98 is preferably positioned so that the rails 101 will extend in a direction passing through the median line of the curved guide plate 78. Thus, in the operation of switching the train from one pair of rails 83, 84, to the other pair of rails 85, 86, the wire rails 96 will be swung in an arc corresponding to the curvature of the guide plate 78.

It is to be understood that by describing in detail herein any particular form, structure, or arrangement, it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims or the requirements of the prior art.

Having thus explained the nature of my said invention and described a way of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the terms in which it may be made, or all of the modes ot its use, 1 claim:

1. Switch mechanism for toy or miniature railways comprising mechanism for connecting a track section with either of a pair ot independent track sections, said mechanism including means detachably connected to a section and shiftable into different positions for forming either a right or lett handed switch.

2. A reversible right and left handed switch mechanism comprising two pairs of companion rails, one pair of companion rails located entirely at one side ot the other pair, anda pair otra-ils shiftable into alinement with either pair of rails.

y3. A reversible right and lefthanded switch comprising switch meanshaving two pairs oi companion rails, one pair of companion rails located entirely "at one side ot the other pair, and switch means adaptedto be connected to a pair of companion rails, one or" said switch means being shiftable relatively to the other to bring a` pair ot rails of one switch means into aliiiejment with a pair of rails ot the other switch means.

4. 1n a toy railway switch the combination ot two sets ot rails, one set comprising two pairs of companion rails, one pair located entirely at one side of the other pair, and the other set comprising afsingle pair ot rails, one ot said sets being shittable relatively to the other set to bring different pairs of rails into alinement.

5. reversible right and lett hander switch comprising switch means having two pairs ot' companion rails, one pair of companion rails located at one side of the other pair, and switch means adapted to be con'A nested to a. pair oi" rails, one of said switcix means being shittable relatively to the other to bring a pair ot rails of one switchmeans into alinement with a pair of rails oit the other switch means, one ot' said switch means having guide means cooperating with the other.

6. In a toy railway switch the combination oit two pairs of companion rails, one pair or companion rails located at one side of the other pair and each pair adapted to be connected to a track section, and a pair of wire rails shittable into alinement with either pair of companion rails.

7. ln a toy railway switch the combination ot two pairs of companion rails, one pair of companion rails located at one side ot the other pair and each pair adapted to be connected vto a track section, a pair ot wire rails, and shiitable means connected. to said wire rails tor shitting the same into alinement with either pair of companion rails.

8. ln a toy railway switch the combination of guide-means, a pair ot rail portions connected thereto and adapted to be connected to a track section, a second pair ot rail portions connected thereto at one side ot said first rail portions and adapted to be connected to a track section, and means for shitting a pair ot rails into alinement with either ot said pairs oit rail portions.

9. ln a toy railway switch the combinaincassa tion of guide means, a pair of rail portions connected thereto and adapted to be connected to a track section, a second pair of rail portions connected thereto at one side of said first rail portions and adapted to be connected to a track section, a pair of connected rails, and shiftable means connected to the ends of said rails and shiftable over said guide means for positioning said connected rails in alinement with either of said first pairs of rail portions.

10. In a toy railway switch the combination of guide means, a pair of rail portions connected thereto and adapted to be connected to a track section, a second `pair of rail portions connectedk thereto at one side of said first rail portions and adapted to be connected to a track section, a pair of' connected rails, and shiftable means connected to the ends of said rails and shiftable over said guide means for `positioning said connected rails in alinement with either of' said first pairs of rail portions, said guide means and shiftable means having cooperating guide portions.

11. In a toy railway switch the combination of guide means, a pair .of rail portions connected thereto and adapted to be connected to a track section, a second pair of rail portions connected thereto at one side of said first rail portions and adapted to be connected to a track section, a pair of connected rails, and shiftable means connected to the ends of said rails and shiftable over said guide means for positioning said connected rails in alinement with either of said first pairs of rail portions, said guide means and shiftable means having one a slot and the other means adapted to be guided in said slot.

12. In a toy railway switch the combination of a switch member bent to form a pair of rail portions, and a pair of rails located in alinement with said rail portions.

13. In a toy railway switch the combination of a pair of relatively shiftable switching members having cooperating guide means, one of said members being bent to form a pair of rail portions, and the other member having means for positioning a pair of rails in alinement with said rail portions.

14. In a toy railway switch the combination of a switchingmember having two pairs of companion rail portions formed therefrom, and a switching member having a pair of rail portions connected thereto, one of said members shiftable relatively to the other to bring rail portions of one member into alinement with rail portions of the other member.

15. In a toy railway switch the combination of a switching member bent to form a pair of rail portions, and a pair of rails located in alinement with said rail Iportions, said rail portions having means for connect" ing the same to an independent rail section.

16. In a toy railway switch the combination of a pair of switch members guided one relatively to the other, one of said members having two pairs of rail portions and the other member having a single pair of rail portions, certain of said rail portions being formed from a member, and said' members being shiftable one relatively to the other to bring a pair of rail portions of one member into alinement with a pair of rail portions of the other member.

17. In a toy railway switch the combination of a pair of switch members guided one relatively to the other, one of said members having two pairs of rail portions and the other member having a single pair of rail portions, certain oi said rail portions being formed from a member, and said members being sliiftable one relatively to the other to bring a pair of rail portions of one member into alinement with a pair of rail portions of the other member, said members having cooperating guide portions.

18. In a toy railwayswitch the combination of a pair of switch members, one of' said members having two pair of rail portions and the other member having a single pair of rail portions, certain of said rail portions being formed from a member, and said members being shiftable one relatively to the other to bring a pair of rail portions of one member into alinement with a pair of rail portions of the other member, said members having one a slot and the other a member guided in said slot.

19. In a toy railway switch the combination of a pair of' switch members, one of said members having two pairs of rail portions and the other member having a single pair of rail portions, certain of said rail portions being formed from a member`r and said members being shiftable one relatively to the other to bring a pair of rail portions of one member into alinement with a pair of rail portions of the other member, said members having one a slot and the other al member guided in said slot, and one thereof having a part bent to embrace the edge of the other.

20. In a toy railway switch the combina- 'tion of a pair of relatively shiftable sheet nected thereto, and a shiftable switching member carried by said guide'member and bent to form a pair of spaced rail portions.

22. In a toy railway switch the combination of a guide member having rails connicted` thereto, a4 shiftable switching ,meniber carried by said guide member and hav- ,ing'spaced rail portions, -and means for de- "t'acliably connecting Aa rail section to said switching member.

,23."In a toy railway switch the combinationy of a guide member, a` shiftable switchingl member having a guiding connection 'with said member, and a handle member formed from one of said members.

@24. In ay toy railway switch the combina- `l0 tien of a guide member, a shift-able switchiiilg member carried thereby, a handle memberconnectedto one of said members, means `fordetachably connecting a rail, section to onel ofsaid members at one side oi the guide l5, member, and ymeans fior detachably connectying a pair of rail sections to theother member'wat the opposite side of the guide member.y

`,25. In a toy railway switch the combinay tienkof a pair of switch members shiftably guided one relatively to the other, means for Hdetachably,connecting la rail section to one Otlid members, and means for detachably connecting a pair of rail sections tothe v ,othermember i'2`6In a toyrailway switch the combination `of a yguide member, a movable switch- "ingfmember carried thereby,means for detacliably connecting' a rail section to said 4. 39 fswitching member, and means for detach- AablyAc,oniiecting ampair of railsections to `saidgiiide member, said guide member and switching lnienfib'er having cooperating meansffor Aguiding one relatively to the ,a einer.

'27. In a toy `railway switch the` combination of a Apair ofrelatively shiftable switching members, means for detachably con-` anectinga pair of rail sections toonc of said ,49,members`and meanskfor connecting a rail section to the other member.V

28. av toyy railway switch.. the combinaltion ofapair `of relatively shiftable switchmembers, means for detachably connectginga1pair of `wirerail ,sections to one of k"aid members ,and means for connecting a ire `rail section to the other member, said Yswitching V,members having cooperating cans, vfor guiding one relatively to the other ,50i in" a predetermined path.

29. In a` toy railwayswitch the combination ofa pair of relatively shiftably switchmembers having means for guiding one jrelatively to the other in a predetermined .55 path, a pair ofwire rails detaehably connected toene of said switching members, and two pairs of wire rails detachably connected to y,

Y ether member.

" ,30; In la .toyrailway switch, a switching 00 member having parts thereof coiled A,to form y rail members andA adapted to receive a dowel maribel'- "3l`.l a toy railway switch, the ,combinaytioi'i ,Iota pair of relatively's'hiftable switchl5 'ing members and a rail section connected i; L v is ing members, one of said members having ka pair ot bent-up ribs forming rails, and

a pair of spaced wirerails connected to the other member, one of said wire rails terminating in a tubular portion for receiving a dowel end of an adjacent rail section.

`34E. Ina toy railway switch the combination of a pair of relatively shiftableswitching members, two pairs of companion wire rails located at one side `of said members and one of said pairs located at one side of the other pair, a pair ofrwire rails located at the opposite side of said members,.and means for detachably connecting a pair of said rails tol a switching member.

35. In a toy railwayswitch the combinationof two pairs of companion wire formed rails, one pair of companion rails ylocated at one side of the yother pair and each pair adapted to be connected to a track section, and a pair of rails shiftable into lalinement with either pairocompanion rails.

36. Al reversible rightl and left` handed switch mechanism comprising two pairs of companion wire formed rails, one pair of companion rails located entirely at one side of the other pair, and a pair of wire formed rails shiftable into alinement with either pair of rails.

' 37In a toy railway switch `the combination of two sets of rails` including wire formed rails, one set comprisingtwo. pairs of Vcompanion rails, one/pair thereof located `entirely `at one sident the other pair, and

the other set comprisingr a single pair-of rails, one of said sets being shiftable relatively vto the other setto bring diiferent pairs of rails into alinement.

`one pair of companion rails being located `entirely at one sidev of the other pair, and

the otherset `comprising a pair of rails, one

`ot said sets beingl shiftable relatively to the other set to bring ditferentpairs of rails into alinement, andwire formed supporting means for one of said pairs of rails.

,In a toy railway switch the :combination of a pair of relatively` shitable switching members having'cooperating means for guiding one relatively to the` other, two pairs of companion rails `connected` to one of the said members, one pair of companion rails being located at one side of the other pair, and a pair of rails having a detachable Spring connection with Said other sWitching member.

40. In a toy railWa;7 switch the combination of a pair 0f relatively shi'table switching members having Cooperating means for guiding 011e relatively to the other, two pairs 19 of companion rails connected to 011e oit' the said iriembers, one pair of companion rails being located at one side of th:l other pair, a rail section comprising Wire ties and a pair of Wire rails connected to said ties, said Wire rails having a detachable spring connection with said other switching mem ber.

Signed at Bualo, Erie County? New York, this l day of March, 1923.

ALAN R. FERGUSSON. 

